Program speakers

John Whittington

Chief Executive Officer 

John Whittington is the CEO of Blue Economy CRC. The Blue Economy CRC brings together 43 industry, government, and research partners from ten countries with expertise in aquaculture, marine renewable energy, maritime engineering, environmental assessments and policy and regulation. Through targeted and industry focussed research and training, the Blue Economy CRC paves the way for innovative, commercially viable and sustainable offshore developments and new capabilities that will see significant increases in renewable energy output, seafood production and jobs that will transform the future of Australia’s traditional blue economy industries.

John has more than 20 years leadership experience across the public, not-for-profit and research sectors. John has a PhD in algal physiology from the University of Adelaide and has postdoctoral experience at Universities in Australia and the USA, and with the CRC for Freshwater Ecology. He has been the Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks Water and Environment (Tas), Chaired the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture Advisory Board and was a Director of the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, and through his career has led major policy and research programs and portfolios in fisheries and aquaculture, animal and plant health, resource management and conservation science.

In addition to being the CEO of the Blue Economy CRC, John is a non-Executive Director of Tasmanian Irrigation Pty Ltd and of Fish Hook Wines.